Wall Township High School student Zachary Burns (left) talks with John Cantwell and Anne Hawd of First Financial Credit Union at a Finance Reality Fair held at the school last month.

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Washington started the year with a bruising deadline fight to avoid steep tax hikes. It put off billions in spending cuts. It didn't remove the threat of the U.S. defaulting on its debts.

And it sent out a message to one and all: 2013 isn't going to be easy, is it?

The political landscape featuring endless bickering and procrastination is enough to make you feel helpless. But central New Jersey financial advisers are bringing a Zen-like calm to the mess, encouraging their clients to embrace the things they can control. ...